The iconic instruction of the classic Hollywood movie director was: “Lights, camera, action!”

In some ways these same instructions could apply to a study of the Old Testament book of Judges.

“Lights!” A careful study of the text shines a light on what took place in Israel over three thousand years ago.

“Camera!” We want to be sure that what we see and learn is something we retain and apply to our own lives here and now.

“Action!” There certainly is plenty of dramatic action to be seen in the lives and service of the twelve individuals featured in these accounts.

But then there is yet another command barked out by the aforementioned director: “Cut!” That order is given when the scene does not go well and the one in charge wants everything to come to a halt and the scene improved.

That instruction, too, could apply to the book of Judges with the same scene repeated over and over again in its troublesome form as a four-step cycle is seen in its pernicious form over a 337-year period of time. In watching the action unfold, we feel like shouting, “Cut!”

And so we begin a consideration of the script acted out by the first three of twelve judges featured in the Book of Judges in this series of studies entitled, “Stout-hearted Men and Women” in this episode entitled, “Fit for the Master’s Use.”

Thank you for listening to Ancient Words, Modern Message. You can expect episodes twice a month on Monday. Ancient Words, Modern Message is supported by Hebrew Christian Fellowship. To learn more about our ministry, or to ask a question, contact HCFellowship4819@gmail.com. We might just answer your question on a future episode of Ancient Words, Modern Message. If you know a person that you think would benefit from this teaching, please share it with them. And if you’d like to support Ancient Words, Modern Message, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your input helps us make the podcast even better and reach new listeners. Ancient Words, Modern Message is produced by Studio D Podcast Production and hosted by Rev. Roger Wambold, Director of Hebrew Christian Fellowship.

The plot of Groundhog Day, the 1993 comedy film starring Bill Murray, revolves around a television weather broadcaster who reports from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania on February 2, covering the annual appearance of that town’s famous groundhog and its impact upon winter weather patterns. In a bizarre set of circumstances, he finds that every day is a repeat of the day before it, February 2, “Groundhog Day,” until he breaks the chain with a change of character and attitude.

In some ways, Ancient Israel had its own “Groundhog Day” that lasted for 337 years, with a cycle of events that was repeated over and over throughout that long period of time.

In today’s episode of “Ancient Words, Modern Message” we begin a study of the Book of Judges and learn about this distressing cycle and its disturbing consequences, interrupted periodically by the appearance of a courageous, bold leader, only to resume when the leader is gone.

With this in mind, let’s turn to the fascinating, and all-too-relevant book of Judges for the first of six installments in a series entitled, “Stout-hearted Men and Women,” an episode we call “Stuck in History.”

Thank you for listening to Ancient Words, Modern Message. You can expect episodes twice a month on Monday. Ancient Words, Modern Message is supported by Hebrew Christian Fellowship. To learn more about our ministry, or to ask a question, contact HCFellowship4819@gmail.com. We might just answer your question on a future episode of Ancient Words, Modern Message. If you know a person that you think would benefit from this teaching, please share it with them. And if you’d like to support Ancient Words, Modern Message, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your input helps us make the podcast even better and reach new listeners. Ancient Words, Modern Message is produced by Studio D Podcast Production and hosted by Rev. Roger Wambold, Director of Hebrew Christian Fellowship.

Regular listeners to this podcast know that every seventh episode is different from the other six. Each of the six includes a Bible study, usually of an Old Testament book. The seventh is a break in style and content as I, Roger Wambold, Director of Hebrew Christian Fellowship, sit in front of a microphone in my home, with a cup of coffee and ideally a bagel with a “shmear” of Philadelphia cream-cheese, for an informal “Bagel-side Chat.” In these I like to discuss a variety of subjects related to the Jewish people—Their history, culture, religious thinking and practice, and current events in Israel and worldwide affecting them.

In this thirteenth “Bagel-side Chat” I touch on the fascinating subject of “keeping kosher,” with some of its nuances and peculiarities, but also with some spiritual principles growing out of the subject.

For some listeners this may be a review of what they already know, but for others it might be an introduction to a subject little understood outside of Jewish communities.

In which of the two groups you may be, or somewhere in between, we are glad that you have joined us for this “Bagel-side Chat,” an episode entitled “Nosh-knowledge.”

Thank you for listening to Ancient Words, Modern Message. You can expect episodes twice a month on Monday. Ancient Words, Modern Message is supported by Hebrew Christian Fellowship. To learn more about our ministry, or to ask a question, contact HCFellowship4819@gmail.com. We might just answer your question on a future episode of Ancient Words, Modern Message. If you know a person that you think would benefit from this teaching, please share it with them. And if you’d like to support Ancient Words, Modern Message, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your input helps us make the podcast even better and reach new listeners. Ancient Words, Modern Message is produced by Studio D Podcast Production and hosted by Rev. Roger Wambold, Director of Hebrew Christian Fellowship.